Police visit, false accusations

[dogslife]

Have a staffordshire bull terrier, through ongoing problems with the neighbours they have falsely reported us for owning a pitbull (banned breed)

Have a police visit scheduled for next week to determine if he is "of type", have printed out the relevant documents and highlighted things relevant, been in touch with vet and also with DDA watch charity who help people affected by BSL. Is there anything else i could/should be doing. Heartbroken at the thought of losing our pet.

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

Do you have any evidence of the ongoing problem with your neighbours?

[tabulahrasa]

I take it he's not KC registered? Are either of his parents? If there's any evidence that they are his parents and there's a KC registration that might help.

If he looks how a staffy should look, it should be fine anyway - though it's all a bit hit and miss really :(

[dogslife]

not really it is small scale. Have had to put doubled up net curtains up as they stand and stare into the house and watch us which is quite intimidating for me as dp works away) but nothing that could actually be proved if that makes sense. it is ongoing intimidation but nothing actually against the law on their part.

[dogslife]

long legged staff, but is kc registered and has papers proving parentage.

[dogslife]

i agree tab because BSL is based on looks along - height,weight ect it is very hit and miss. makes me worried for him

[tabulahrasa]

Common sense would say that KC registration should do it, but of course common sense doesn't necessarily apply...it should go in your favour though.

[tabulahrasa]

The paperwork should work in your favour that is...

[D0oinMeCleanin]

Contact these people today. They will advise. Papers won't necessarily be enough, the police are a law unto themselves with the DDA laws.

Wheldon Law specialise in cases like this so I would also contact them

Do not sign anything without legal advise, no matter what the police say. I've heard too many horror stories about people being tricked into signing their dog's destruction orders.

[SaskiaRembrandtVampireHunter]

This happened to my brother just after the DDA became law. His dog was a staffie x lab, and apparently the length of her legs and back and the size of her head made her suspect. The case was dropped though, mostly because he had a lot of help from his vet.

As your dog is KC registered and your vet is on your side, you are in a pretty strong position.

[Scuttlebutter]

I would strongly advise that you have a legal adviser present at the interview, preferably one who understands the law in this area. I would recommend Trevor Cooper of Doglaw - Trevor knows and understands this area of law very, very well. link

[FellatioNels0n]

Do the 'ongoing problems' concern the dog? I see no reason why you would lose him if he has no behavioural/aggression issues, unless of course it was a cut and dry case of his being a Pit Bull. Which is virtually impossible to prove anyway.

[NandH]

no advise what so ever, just couldn't read and go!! so good luck, I'm sure it'll be fine with the evidence you have!

what mean neighbours you have! ... I'd be looking for revenge!!

[SaskiaRembrandtVampireHunter]

"unless of course it was a cut and dry case of his being a Pit Bull. Which is virtually impossible to prove anyway. "

The dog doesn't have to be a pit bull, simply of that type - in other words, a dog of another breed/mixed breeds that conforms to a certain standard can be classed as a pit bull and destroyed.

[SaggyOldClothCatpuss]

I cant remember what they were called, but I recently found a company who would DNA your dog and tell you what mixed breeds he is. Surely the police should be able to use this type of test?

[tabulahrasa]

They also don't need to prove it is a pitbull, it's up to you to prove it isn't and KC registration as another breed doesn't even necessarily count - though it should be a plus at least.

Unfortunately a dog doesn't need to have any behavioural issues to be seized.

[FellatioNels0n]

The trouble is Saggy, if you decide to go down that route after the police become involved and they are waiting on the outcome, what are you going to do if the result comes back unexpectedly positive? If it really, really looks like a Pit Bull then chances are it is part Pit Bull, or Pit Bull type, and you can do all the protesting you like. You can hardly refuse to give over the results once they know you have them, can you?

[ClaimedByMe]

I bought a dog testing kit from Amazon the company is 'wisdom panel insights' I am not sure how accurate it was but something like that may help.

What awful neighbours you have got, every crossed for you that the police see this is just a waste of time.

[Tiredtrout]

I unfortunately sometimes deal with this sort of thing through my work. Have all your papers ready to show them about your dog, is he insured and chipped? If so have those bits together too. If you can prove that your dog is not 'of type' more the better, if you can't it's helpful to be able to show that you are a responsible owner. Another good site for advice is deed not breed.

The paperwork mentioned by dooin is a dog disclaimer form, that means that you give up ownership of your dog. Some dogs are destroyed others are rehoused following signing these.

The other thing to look at is the defra website, they manage the 'list' of dogs that are of type under the dda that have conditions of ownership

[Tiredtrout]

Another couple of things, I hope it all works out for the assessment but please start keeping a diary and look at reporting the issues you have with your neighbour. Do you know why they have reported your dog?

[dogslife]

He seems to reporting folk left right and centre including neighbours reported to the dole for working when they dont, having lodgers and family staying. He has also reported next door who own a staffordshire bull terrier as well. he was moved here by the HA less than a year ago for his own safety and he seems to hate it.

The ongoing problems arent concerning the dog or hes never mentioned a problem with the dogs to me before this.

I have been in touch with the DDA and Wheldon law, my dog is insured, microchipped, up to date with everything. walked on a lead and has a muzzle ( purely for or own protection)

:( v worried which i suppose is what he wanted but that dog means the world to me

[Tiredtrout]

Alot of people think staffies are pit bulls and report them for this. I would still keep a diary of the issues you are having, the background of the reporting person will get looked at normally. All the things you do for your dog are generally what the conditions are for being on the list.

Good luck

[dogslife]

I hope so. i have got a folder of all the relevant documents together so they are all ready for the day. just very worried.

I definately will start keeping a diary, i just thought he was abit miffed to be living here but he seems to be relishing in causing as much trouble as he can. plus the staring into the house when its dark is very intimidating when im alone with dcs.

[SaskiaRembrandtVampireHunter]

He sounds like an absolute nightmare! Is there anyway you could complain to his landlord. Surely, making repeated false allegations against your neighbours counts as harassment. If it doesn't, it should.

[SaskiaRembrandtVampireHunter]

"plus the staring into the house when its dark is very intimidating when im alone with dcs."

Next time he does this, film him on your phone, then call the non-emergency police number.

[saintlyjimjams]

Well the neighbour sounds nuts. Perhaps have a written list of the reports he's made to handover ( I wouldn't start listing verbally as you might start to sound bit as if you're ranting about him, but if you just say there's been no complaints re the dog but he's reporting other neighbours for xy and z it might help)